Lapua brass ok -Norma not

[Tn4121]

I have shot hundred of reloaded rounds with Lapua brass with my 6 br yielding good groups. I recently acquired some Norma brass, full sized it and tried the unloaded cases in my rifle. The bolt is very difficult to close and with some cases the bolt will not close. Any thoughts on correction of the tight Norma cases?? Thanks.

 

[rijndael]

Measure "headspace"/datum line on the Norma brass and compare it with the Lapua. Maybe it needs a bump before use.

If that doesn't yield something interesting, measure the body at the case-shoulder-junction and at the .200 line.

 

[ELR LVR]

Headspace (might need to grind some off the bottom of your die, It happens)
or
the die does not squeeze down the web region and the Norma cases are slightly larger in the web area
I have some Redding BR dies that are like that, and must use my Forsters to size cases that have been shot a little bit hot in the Load charge to get them to chamber again.
In my instance it has to do with the slight chamfer some mfgrs put in the entrance of the die
Some are a little too much, and where there is a chamfer, the die cannot size the brass down.
The forsters are more of a mere "radius edge of the die" rather than what looks like a 5 degree countersink has been used to provide a smooth transition into the die at the bottom of the entrance

 

[shoot4fun]

I have shot hundred of reloaded rounds with Lapua brass with my 6 br yielding good groups. I recently acquired some Norma brass, full sized it and tried the unloaded cases in my rifle. The bolt is very difficult to close and with some cases the bolt will not close. Any thoughts on correction of the tight Norma cases?? Thanks.

Have you measured the OAL of Norma brass?
Sizing it may have made it longer than your chamber is cut for.
I had this happen with a different brand once and only in one particular barrel of several I own.

 

[Tn4121]

Have you measured the OAL of Norma brass?
Sizing it may have made it longer than your chamber is cut for.
I had this happen with a different brand once and only in one particular barrel of several I own.

I have measured OAL of the normal cases. All are below the recommended trim length.

 

[Tn4121]

Headspace (might need to grind some off the bottom of your die, It happens)
or
the die does not squeeze down the web region and the Norma cases are slightly larger in the web area
I have some Redding BR dies that are like that, and must use my Forsters to size cases that have been shot a little bit hot in the Load charge to get them to chamber again.
In my instance it has to do with the slight chamfer some mfgrs put in the entrance of the die
Some are a little too much, and where there is a chamfer, the die cannot size the brass down.
The forsters are more of a mere "radius edge of the die" rather than what looks like a 5 degree countersink has been used to provide a smooth transition into the die at the bottom of the entrance

I am using a Forster die.

 

[ELR LVR]

I am using a Forster die.

Well, Im not suggesting being brand specific
Just look into the bottom of the die to see what I mean is all

 

[shoot4fun]

I have measured OAL of the normal cases. All are below the recommended trim length.

Did you compare Lapua on hand and fired to the Norma OAL length?
I guess you did make sure the shoulders of the Norma are bumped back to same as you would the Lapua?
Also, you need to compare the .200 line measurements. It would be odd though that the Norma (unfired) is larger at the 200 line than the Lapua.

 

[jpjulian]

I'd suggest taking a bit off a shell holder rather than the die. Cheaper if something doesn't go right. Works the same in the long run.

 

[rwj]

Before modifying anything, determine where the interference(s) are occurring. All that’s needed is a Sharpie to draw a continuous line from the case base to the neck end. Chamber/remove the case and inspect for locations where the line is missing/smeared. Take correct actions as needed.

 

[64Rambler]

I'd suggest taking a bit off a shell holder rather than the die. Cheaper if something doesn't go right. Works the same in the long run.

Yep, I took a set of comp shell holders and went the other way. Normal is 0.125 ("0"), 0.127 (+0.002), 0.129.... 0.135 (+0.010). I used a surface grinder to get a set that was negative in 0.0006" steps. My 7mm08 Lapua brass needs the 0.1238" holder, but the Alpha can use the normal 0.127" holder to get to the same CBTS measurement, due to the difference in spring back.

 

[Gary in MD]

Maybe I missed it, but was the Norma already fired in another rifle when you acquired it or brand new?

 

[mgunderson]

Certain lots or Norma are slightly thicker in the neck as well. I find that Norma sizes differently than Lapua. I haven't sectioned it to find the differences, but the spring back is different. Could be my reamer and sizing die combo.

 

[6.5 forever]

Maybe I missed it, but was the Norma already fired in another rifle when you acquired it or brand new?

Exactly the question I had all the way thru the thread. Never had new brass of any brand that didn't drop right in.

 

[ghostrider272]

Have had a similar issue with Norma 6BR brass. It came from loaded ammo. Fired it in my rifle, went to reload it, bolt was a little stiff on the second reload. Tried a Hornady and Redding FL die and a Redding body die. Still cannot get most of the brass to chamber without a stiff close of the bolt. Haven't done anything else with it as I have other priorities on the bench. Looking forward to finding out if the OP is able to solve the issue.

 

[foxguy]

I have New Laupa 6MM BR Brass, 1 Time fired in my Savage 6 MM BR F-class Rifle. The shoulder growth of
once fired Laupa Brass in this savage 6MM BR chamber is .004 . If I Place the fired brass back into the rifle chamber and try to close the Bolt, I feel quite a bit if resistance. When I bump the shoulder back .002 and place the brass into the chamber the Bolt closes with no resistance. This is my experience with Laupa Brass.
I would Suspect Norma to be very similar. Let us know what you find.